Honey Butter Skillet Corn

Get ready for the ultimate corn side dish that’ll make you forget plain buttered corn ever existed! This honey butter skillet corn is creamy, sweet, and absolutely irresistible – perfect for everything from casual weeknight dinners to holiday feasts.

What makes this dish truly special is the magical combination of rich cream cheese, sweet honey, and butter that creates a velvety sauce that coats every kernel. It’s the kind of side dish that people will definitely ask for the recipe – and you won’t believe it only takes 15 minutes!

Ingredients

• 2 (10 oz.) packages frozen corn, thawed
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 4 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Steps

1. Heat a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the thawed corn and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the corn is heated through and slightly golden. You’ll know it’s ready when the kernels are hot to the touch and some have light brown spots.
2. Add the 3 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons honey. Stir continuously until the butter is completely melted and the honey is evenly distributed. The mixture should look glossy and coat the corn evenly.
3. Add the softened cream cheese in small chunks (this helps it melt more evenly) and season with salt and pepper. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until the cream cheese has completely melted into a smooth sauce. The corn should be evenly coated with no white streaks remaining.
4. Perform a taste test and adjust seasonings if needed. The corn should be sweet but still have a slight salty balance. If the sauce seems too thick, add 1-2 teaspoons of water to thin it out.
5. Serve immediately while hot. The sauce will thicken as it cools, so timing is important for the best texture.

Smart Swaps

• Use light cream cheese to reduce calories by 30% without sacrificing creaminess
• Replace honey with 2 tablespoons maple syrup for a different sweetness profile
• Try fresh corn (about 4 cups) when in season – cut straight from the cob

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Reduce honey to 1 tablespoon and add 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon to enhance natural sweetness
• Use Neufchâtel cheese instead of regular cream cheese to reduce fat content
• Keep portions to 1/2 cup per serving (approximately 15g carbohydrates)

Pro Tips

• Let cream cheese come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes for smoother melting
• Don’t skip the salt – it balances the sweetness and makes flavors pop
• If using frozen corn, don’t thaw in microwave – let it thaw naturally for better texture